Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Independent Person

The introduction of the Independent Person marks one of the most significant governance developments within the LGPS for many years. Whilst every Fund must decide how best to implement the role, success will depend not simply on appointing someone independent, but on appointing someone with the experience, judgement and credibility to add genuine value to governance and decision-making.

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What is an Independent Person?

In a new era of LGPS accountability, administering authorities must appoint an Independent Person to help strengthen governance, oversight and decision-making within their Fund.

The role of the Independent Person is to support the Pension Committee and the LGPS Senior Officer, providing independent professional insight through objective expertise, effective scrutiny and constructive challenge.

In practice, this means working collaboratively with committee members, officers and advisers to support informed decision-making, while remaining independent from the decisions being taken. The role is ultimately about helping Committees make better informed decisions rather than making decisions on their behalf.

Lighthouse representing the Independent Person role
Bridge representing the boundaries of the Independent Person role

What Falls Outside the Independent Person Role

An Independent Person is not a replacement for the Pension Committee, Local Pension Board, administering authority, LGPS Senior Officer, officers or advisers. Nor are they a voting member or decision-maker.

The role is not intended to duplicate existing governance arrangements, but to complement them by acting as a trusted critical friend and providing independent challenge where appropriate.

An Independent Person does not alter pension entitlements, determine individual benefit outcomes, replace scheme rules or interfere with the statutory protections that apply to LGPS members. Member benefits remain governed by the LGPS Regulations, including the rules relating to pension contributions, pensionable pay, retirement benefits and survivor pensions.

Benefits of an Independent Person for Your LGPS Fund

01

Independent expertise and objective perspective

Providing impartial insight and balanced challenge to help ensure decisions are evidence-based, well understood and subject to appropriate scrutiny. An Independent Person can help committees and officers constructively challenge advice, test assumptions and understand the implications of decisions before they are made.

02

Regulatory insight and risk management

LGPS funds operate in a complex and evolving regulatory environment. Independent input can help Funds respond to changing requirements and identify emerging governance, investment, administration and operational risks at an early stage.

03

Governance and strategic oversight

Supporting committees and officers in the oversight of investment, administration and funding strategies, while helping embed good governance practices, strengthen accountability and maintain focus on long-term outcomes.

04

Supporting informed decision-making

Good governance depends on good understanding. An Independent Person can help committee members navigate complex governance, investment, funding and administration matters, equipping them with the knowledge, context and confidence needed to make informed decisions.

05

Committee effectiveness and constructive challenge

An Independent Person can support effective meetings, quality debate and clear decision-making by helping ensure the right questions are asked and different perspectives are considered. The role is to challenge constructively, not disruptively.

What makes Dalriada’s LGPS Independent Person services different?

Broad pensions expertise and market leaders

Our professionals combine deep LGPS knowledge with broader pensions industry experience, bringing practical insight, external perspective and an understanding of what good governance looks like across different pension and public sector environments. Dalriada also brings early market leadership in Independent Person appointments, with practical experience into how Funds are approaching the role in practice.

Trusted relationships and constructive challenge

Effective challenge depends on trust, credibility and strong working relationships. We focus on building trusted relationships with Committees, officers and advisers, enabling us to test assumptions, ask the right questions and provide constructive challenge in a way that supports, rather than disrupts, effective governance.

Tailored approach

We match individuals with the appropriate expertise, judgement and style to align with your Fund’s governance structure, priorities and Committee needs, working collaboratively with existing officers, advisers and the Local Pension Board.

Professional board experience

Our Independent Person services bring practical experience of sitting around the table as professional trustees and independent advisers, operating across multiple governance environments. This means we understand how to support effective decision-making, ask the right questions and provide proportionate challenge in real-life committee and board settings.

Access to wider expertise and resilience

Dalriada’s support is not built around one individual alone. The wider Dalriada team ensures the Independent Person has access to specialist expertise across governance, investment, administration, funding and pensions regulation, providing additional resilience and support as complex or specialist issues arise.

Strong governance infrastructure

Our professionals are all APPT accredited, with many holding additional specialist pensions qualifications. We operate within a robust governance and risk management framework that includes conflicts management, cyber security, data protection, business continuity, professional indemnity insurance and quality assurance processes.

Why choose Dalriada?

▸Our extensive industry experience means we know what ‘good’ looks like.
▸With deep knowledge, we work collaboratively across a range of disciplines.
▸We focus on delivering meaningful value and strengthening outcomes.

Our expert team

Dalriada’s LGPS support is led by experienced pensions professionals, including Mandy Kaur-Sadler, whose public sector pensions experience and early Independent Person appointments evidence the deep expertise she provides.

Contact us today, by emailing LGPS@dalriadatrustees.co.uk

You are not simply appointing an individual; you are appointing an individual backed by the infrastructure and governance of a leading professional trustee firm.

Mandy Kaur-Sadler
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Mandy Kaur-Sadler
Senior Client Director
Mandy Kaur-Sadler
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Caroline Allensby-Green
Senior Client Director
Mandy Kaur-Sadler
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Mark Clews
Senior Client Director

“Mandy brings significant pensions expertise, an independent perspective and a strong connection to the region, all of which will add real value to our Pensions Committee.

We are committed to making sure the Fund is well placed to respond to change while continuing to deliver for our members and employers. I look forward to working with Mandy in this new role.”

Rachel BrothwoodExecutive Director, West Midlands Pension Fund

“We are delighted to welcome Mandy as the Fund’s Independent Person. She brings a unique combination of LGPS knowledge, governance expertise and practical pensions experience which will be invaluable as the Fund continues to evolve and respond to a changing regulatory environment.”

Worcestershire Pension Fund

Speak to our specialists

If your LGPS fund is considering an Independent Person appointment, Dalriada can help you understand what support you need, identify the right expertise and put a governance model in place that works for your fund.

Speak to our LGPS specialists to discuss your requirements. Call us on 028 9041 2018 or fill out the form provided.